One thousand and eighteen kilometres, two days of sheer delight, four seasons and more in forty eight hours, great and funny memories, new friendships, four tanks of fuel and a lot of happy faces.

Oh, and about $2000 for research into prostate cancer.

What a weekend! I still have difficulty getting the smile off my face!

When I got home, I was somewhere between being sad that it was over, happy to be out of the saddle, sad that it would be 12 months before we did it again, and happy that I had succeeded in doing something 'different'!

Those of us that went will have great memories; those that did not, make sure you put the date in your diary now for next year. The Long Ride is destined to be an annual event, with more riders, more fun and hopefully more dollars.

For the record, we raised just a tad under $2000. But that included some $405 raised by our only southern rider, Julie Foster, who worked for weeks to gather that sort of money. Frankly, that's a great start. Lets double it next year!

So let's re-trace our tracks.

At 8 am, the weather was a little overcast and not looking too good when some 13 bikes and 18 of us set off for Burnie. Bruce joined us at the Hadspen turnoff. Drizzle started about Westbury and turned to light rain by Sassafras. It lasted until just after Devonport. So far, so good. Bearable at least.

First stop was fuel at Burnie followed by Maccas. There we were met by a large number of North West Coast riders - it was great to see them and their enthusiasm and support for the concept was right up there. We take this opportunity to thank Rod Priestley and his Ulysses members for their support.

Off some of us then went for Somerset and the long haul down to Queenstown, via the magnificent Hellier Gorge. Yes, the road was wet, but taken with care, it was simply breathtaking - rainforest, gorges, superb roads and pristine air.

Some went direct via the link road, missing Hellier.

From Hellier, the road winds its way down to Tullah, where some had a break. Others had taken a break at Warratah (waiting for the ride leader who had simply forgotten to stop!)

From Tullah, a left turn via Lake Plimsoll is a must. Here the road winds up through the spectacular hills and mountains of the west, providing vistas that simply must be seen to be believed. And the road -motorcycle heaven to say the least.

Queenstown came into view about 12.30 pm for some of us. By now the weather was fabulous, low 20s and very little wind. Just as ordered!!

Straight to the world's best souvlaki shop for lunch. Well, at least they welcomed us with open arms, and they do serve the best lamb souvlaki.

After lunch and a rest, the group, now numbering more than 25, headed for Hobart. First stop was Derwent Bridge.

But I must say that the road from Hobart to Derwent Bridge, about 70 or 80 minutes travelling time, is the best motorcycle road I have even been on. It has everything. Scenery, mountains, lakes and wild rivers, national parks(Bob Brown was nowhere to be seen), and a road surface second to none. And corners! Millions of them. I suspect a few opened the throttle a little at times, enjoying that rare moment of sheer ecstasy.

R & R at Derwent Bridge was relaxing, with the next stop being at Hamilton, about 50 minutes out of Hobart.

Groups of four and five had spread out and paced themselves through this long stage. At one point we all drove around a rather nasty looking, three or four foot tiger snake, warming himself in the middle of the road. The big Kookaburra that decided he was for lunch got more than the fright of his life when he ran straight into an FJR doing 120km! So did the rider! Ouch, that hurt.

A large group of us stayed at the Graham Court Apartments in Newtown. Believe it or not, the two nearest pubs - both of which had a certain attraction to us after 10 hours on the bikes - were either closed or under construction! A phone call and we were at Cooleys Hotel in Moonah, where drinks and fine food were consumed in copious amounts and lots of tall stories were uttered.

Day one was over, and I had Bruce and Guy in my room. Struth, you would think that after such a long and hard day, a man deserves better than that!

At 8 the next morning, 20 of us were ready for the next long ride. Out past the Risdon Prison (Arthur, Tony and Wayne were seen waving to mates, Roz muttered something about knowing most of the inmates), to Richmond and down to Orford we went. Weather magnificent, riding conditions superb and a coffee to look forward to.

The party then headed for a break at Bicheno, before arriving at St Helens for lunch. The temperate had dropped from the low 20s to the very low teens! And it was bloody cold.

At St Helens, out came the wet weather gear as the heavens opened. Up through the Pyengana and Welborough passes we got into thick fog and very cold and misty conditions. But eerily, the road was dry and the ride extremely enjoyable. The last break was at Scottsdale, where a lot of now weary but very happy riders stopped for the last time.

Here the talk was all about how enjoyable and challenging the two days had been. As stated earlier, new friendships were formed, old ones strengthened and all in a good cause.

Next year I reckon we should go the other way! But more of that later.

Thanks to all that came along, even those that did a day and headed home, or did just a stage. The exercise was all about friendship and raising a bob or two for research into the silent Prostate killer amongst us.

Stay upright.

PS - Bruce took some great photos which are on display on the web site.

Benny